Lomandra fluviatilis plant named ‘AU807’

ABSTRACT

‘AU807’ is a distinctive variety of  Lomandra fluviatilis  which is characterized by a combination of improved vigor, short plant height, long and arching foliage and a high number of inflorescences borne on long peduncles.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Lomandra fluviatilis.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Lomandra fluviatilis disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘AU807’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial herbaceous variety of Lomandra fluviatilis, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘AU807’. Its market class is that of an ornamental grass-like plant. ‘AU807’ is intended for use in landscaping and as a decorative plant.

Parentage: The Lomandra fluviatilis variety ‘AU807’ was finally selected in 2007 in an Australian nursery in the state of New South Wales following a selection process carried out from 2004 to 2007 involving approximately 500 open pollinated seedlings of common-form Lomandra fluviatilis (unnamed) production stock. Several candidate plants were isolated in 2005 for further evaluation of mature plant height, density, bloom habit and vigor. ‘AU807’ was ultimately selected in August of 2007 for the combination of improved vigor in the way of faster growth rate compared to the parent plant, approximately 20% shorter plant height compared to the parent and other progeny, arching foliage as opposed to the semi-erect habit of the parent and other progeny and a high number of inflorescences borne on long peduncles.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘AU807’ was first propagated asexually by division at a wholesale nursery in Richmond, New South Wales, Australia in 2008 and has since been asexually propagated by division through several successive generations. The distinctive characteristics of the inventive ‘AU807’ variety are stable from generation to generation; clones of the variety produced by asexual reproduction maintain the distinguishing characteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘AU807’ is a distinctive variety of Lomandra fluviatilis which is characterized by a combination of improved vigor, short plant height, long and arching foliage and a high number of inflorescences borne on long peduncles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a 10 month-old_sample ‘AU807’ plant from which Botanical Description data were collected.

FIG. 2 shows a mature ‘AU807’ plant in the ground. Note the arching habit and the aspect of the racemes above the foliage.

FIG. 3 shows a close up of the ‘AU807’ inflorescence.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinct variety of a Lomandra fluviatilis ornamental plant known as ‘AU807’. Plant observations were made on 10 month-old plants grown in New South Wales, Australia. Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are based upon observations made from mature ‘AU807’ plants grown from rooted cuttings from November 2010 to September 2011 in 200 mm nursery pots. ‘AU807’ plants were grown in 200 mm nursery pots which were filled with soilless potting media, maintained with granular slow release fertilizer, and regularly watered with overhead irrigation. No pest and disease measures were taken.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘AU807’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may vary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and the like. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition. Note that generic color descriptions such as ‘white’ do not exist in The R.H.S. charts and the corresponding R.H.S. colors are quoted.

Technical Description of the Variety

-   Plant characteristics: ‘AU807’ is a short, tufted evergreen     perennial. Average plant height is to 34 cm and average plant spread     is 65 cm in a mature plant grown in a 200 mm nursery pot in     Richmond, New South Wales, Australia. Propagation is accomplished by     dividing the rhizomatous propagules which, collectively make up the     crown of the plant. Said propagules will initiate new roots in     approximately 2 to 3 weeks depending on the time of year and     geographic location. An initial 4 to 7 months are needed to produce     a well-rooted 200 mm pot, starting from a rooted cutting, depending     on geographic location. -   Leaf: Shape is linear; apex is emarginated, two-toothed, with each     peak being acute; margin is entire; cross section is concave.     Average length is 440 mm and the average width is 2 mm. Color of the     adaxial and abaxial surfaces of the foliage is green corresponding     to RHS 138A. Both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces are glaucous,     however the abaxial surface displays a higher degree of glaucosity.     With the glaucous wax removed, the color of the adaxial and abaxial     surfaces is 143A. Both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces are glabrous     in all stages of development. Venation pattern is parallel; vein     color is indistinguishable from surrounding foliage. Basal sheath is     membranous, long and acute, margins lacerate with a color that is     closest to greyed purple 187A. -   Roots: Many highly-branched, fibrous roots. -   Inflorescence: Plants are dioceous with both male and female plants.     Inflorescence are similar between the two with female inflorescence     having slightly longer scapes and slightly larger flowers; otherwise     the two sexes have similar inflorescences. Racemes ranging in length     from 6 to 9 cm (average of 7 cm) containing small clusters of male     flowers, or spikelets; some spikelets are sessile to the rachis     while others are borne on pedicels of varying length. Peduncles     range in length from 25 to 28 cm long and approximately 1.5 to 2 mm     wide. Color of peduncle is greyed yellow 161C. Flowering period is     heaviest in spring and sporadic at other times of the summer and     fall. Inflorescence last for approximately 4 weeks. -   Flowers: Male flowers only; flowers in spring or early summer. Very     floriferous with approximately 70 matured inflorescences per 200 mm     pot. Spikelets are either sessile to the rachis or borne on     pedicels. Perianth consists of 4 elliptical petals that are     approximately 4 mm in length with an approximate width across the     perianth of 1.5 mm at the widest point. Apex is acute and slightly     recurved. Perianth color is yellow 10B. Tepals number as three;     color is greyed purple 187A. Six stamen of varying length are     present. Pedicels range in length from 10 to 25 mm long and less     than 1 mm wide; color is closest to yellow green 151A. Needle-shaped     bracts present and range in length from 6 to 12 mm; apex is acute;     margin is entire; color of bracts ranges from yellow 10D to greyed     yellow 160D as they mature. -   Reproductive organs: Female inflorescence are unbranched like the     male, only with a slightly longer peduncle, otherwise similar to     male inflorescence. Six reduced, sterile stamen; outer stamens     inserted on rim of perianth tube; inner inserted on perianth, close     to the outer, with filaments of varying length. Style short; stigma     is capitate. Ovaries are superior. -   Fruit and seed: Not observed.

Environmental Tolerances

-   Cold and heat tolerance: The winter hardiness of ‘AU807’ is at least     to USDA Zone 8. ‘AU807’ has heat tolerance typical of Lomandra     fluviatilis. -   Drought tolerance: ‘AU807’ has excellent drought tolerance typical     of Lomandra fluviatilis once established. -   Pest resistance: No known insect pests. ‘AU807’ has disease     tolerance typical of Lomandra fluviatilis. -   Cultural conditions: ‘AU807’ is tolerant of a wide range of soil     types and pH ranges.

Comparison of AU807 With Other Varieties of Lomandra fluviatilis

Lomandra fluviatilis is an under-commercialized species of Lomandra and, consequently, there has been little breeding work undertaken. For that reason, ‘AU807’ will be compared to the species, common-form Lomandra fluviatilis (unnamed), and the only commercialized selections known to the breeder, ‘ABU7’ (unpatented in the United States, Australian PBR Application no: 2008/308), which was an earlier selection from the same breeding program as ‘AU807’. All three forms have similar foliage color, foliage texture, and bloom color. However the combination of improved vigor, a short plant height, an arching habit and a high number of inflorescences borne on long peduncles above the foliage makes ‘AU807’ distinguishable from the comparators.

‘AU807’ has a low plant height, reaching an average height of 34 cm whereas Lomandra fluviatilis ‘ABU7’ grows to approximately 40 cm high. While the overall plant height of ‘AU807’ is shorter than ‘ABU7’, the foliage of ‘AU807’ is longer which translates to a more compact and arching habit that is desirous to the ornamental plant industry. The foliage of ‘AU807’ is 44 cm long, on average, whereas the foliage of ‘ABU7’ is 37 cm on average. The foliage width of both is similar at 2 mm wide, giving both cultivars a comparable texture. Both cultivars have pronounced racemes borne on long peduncles. However, the racemes of ‘AU807’ are above the foliage whereas the racemes are at or slightly above the foliage; peduncles of ‘AU807’ are longer, measuring 26 cm on average compared to 20 cm in ‘ABU7’. The racemes of both cultivars are similar in size (average of 7 cm for both) and in the number of spikelets (approximately 16 to 18). However, inflorescences are more numerous in ‘AU807’.

‘AU807’ has a low plant height, reaching an average height of 34 cm whereas common-form Lomandra fluviatilis is much taller, reaching approximately 45 cm high. The foliage of ‘AU807’ is 44 cm long, on average, whereas the foliage of common-form Lomandra fluviatilis is 47 cm on average. These height and foliage dimensions translate to ‘AU807’ possessing an arching habit whereas common-form Lomandra fluviatilis has a semi-erect habit which is a distinguishable and significant difference to the ornamental plant industry. The foliage width of both cultivars is similar at 2 mm wide, giving both a comparable texture. The racemes of ‘AU807’ are above the foliage whereas the racemes of common-form Lomandra fluviatilis are below the foliage; peduncles of ‘AU807’ measure 26 cm on average compared to 28 cm in common-form Lomandra fluviatilis. At 10 cm long (on average) and approximately 18 to 22 spikelets per raceme, the raceme of common-form Lomandra fluviatilis is larger than that of ‘AU807’. However, inflorescences are more numerous in ‘AU807’.

The combination of improved vigor, a short plant height with long and arching foliage and a high number of inflorescences borne on long peduncles makes ‘AU807’ a desirable ornamental plant suited for mass production for pot and landscape use. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Lomandra fluviatilis plant named ‘AU807’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 